Francis Howell at Lutheran North -Top Performers & Prospects

Two of the most talented teams regardless of class met up this past week and did battle in a hard fought game that eventually went the Howell Vikings way over time and led to their victory. I break down some of the top performers had prospects I had the opportunity to watch.     FRANCIS HOWELL   [player_tooltip player_id='188583' first='Jude' last='James'] | 2024 | 6'3" | WR/S | James showed glimpses of what I saw in this game last year when he was a sophomore, and which has led to him receiving several early D1 offers. He's a really smooth athlete with great size, speed and ball skills who understand the game well and the positions he plays. He runs really well covering a lot of ground quickly, and has superior closing speed and the ability get to the ball with an extra gear at the last minute. A good route runner who battles defenders, gets good positioning and can go up for the ball catching it at it's highest point. Great hands and will lay out for the ball and dig out underthrown passes. Caught two balls for scores in the game and also had a 44 yard fumble recovery for a score. Just a heady overall ball player on both sides of the ball, and physical as well both as a blocker and from his safety position. Good tackler. Very talented playmaker whose recruiting profile will continue to rise over the course of the season.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/09/Jude-James.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-443249"/></figure>   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>   Brett Nortfleet | 2023 | 6'7" | TE | The Missouri commit started the game with an impressive catch and run but did more of his work with his blocking ability from his TE position. Norfleet is such a big target who runs like a receiver at 6'7" 235lbs that you expect to see him being more of a factor in the stats, but he does everything well and plays within the offense perfectly in his role. He really impresses with his overall athleticism, blocking ability, hands and ability to run after the catch. He also sees action at DE for the Vikings and contributes there. The big-time athlete is also a highly thought of baseball player and prospect who will most likely play that sport at Mizzou as well.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/09/Francis-Howell-vs-Lutheran-North-165.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-443250"/></figure>   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>   [player_tooltip player_id='126277' first='Kendall' last='Gurley'] | 2024 | 5'8" | WR/CB | A speedy playmaker who was all over the field on offense, defense and special tams making his presence known on each. Gurley made big plays on offense with a TD reception and from his defensive back position with a timely interception as the Crusaders were marching down the field to get into scoring position. He had good speed and reaction time, makes very good reads and decisions seeing plays unfold and is physical, playing bigger then his size. Solid tackler who battles and sheds blocks to make plays. Kendall has very good ball skills and hands, along with good cover skills. He is very quick in the open field and elusive after the catch. He could play on either side of the ball on the next level.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/09/Kendall-Gurley.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-443256"/></figure>   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>   [player_tooltip player_id='321988' first='Logan' last='Scrivner'] | 2024 | 6'3" | OL | Scrivner is a talented young 290 OL who I have had the chance to see train and watch at camps over the past year. His hard work he puts in during the off season is paying off for him early in his junior year. While he plays left tackle for the Vikings his future is on the interior of the offensive line on the next level. He's a powerful blocker with good punch, hands and sustains his blocks on both run and pass plays to the whistle. Good pass pro skills and uses his 290lbs well to help a strong run game for his team. Good athlete who has quick feet and can run. Nice kid off the field who plays with an attitude on it. A smart kid who is future college prospect.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/09/Logan-Scrivner.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-443257"/></figure>   <figure class="wp-block-image"><img alt=""/></figure>   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>   [player_tooltip player_id='37671' first='Taj' last='Gurley'] | 2023 | 6'1" | WR/S | Another D1 prospect on the Vikings who contributes on both sides of the ball. Taj did his best work during the game on the defensive side on the ball on the night patrolling a lot of ground from his defensive back position in pass defense while playing tough against the Crusaders tough running game. He has good size, speed and is physical both as a blocker on offense and tackler on defense. He has good hands and blocks well while running good routes. A strong all around team player.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/09/Francis-Howell-vs-Lutheran-North-153.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-443258"/></figure>   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>   [player_tooltip player_id='37667' first='Brady' last='Hultman'] | 2023 | 6'0" | RB/LB | The Vikings has several important two-way players and the one who is perhaps their most impactful among them is the 215lb Hultman. Brady is both their leading rusher at his running back position, and their leading tackler from his linebacker position. He never leaves the field and goes full out on every play. He scored a rushing TD on the night but his motor and defensive play stood out. A tough runner who will grind it out but has the speed to take it to the house on any given play, he brings a linebacker mentality when playing running back. He's a physical North/South runner who can be hard for a single defender to bring down. On defense he goes hard on every down and has a nose for the ball and is in on most plays. He looks like a solid college prospect   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/09/Brady-Hultman.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-443259"/></figure>   Others Worth Mentioning   [player_tooltip player_id='130185' first='Adam' last='Shipley'] | 2024| 6'0" | QB | - Junior QB who did a nice job leading his team and showed a good arm throwing for 3 TDs on the night.   [player_tooltip player_id='276971' first='Mitch' last='Weisenborn'] | 2025 " 6'3" | OL/DE | - impressive looking young lineman who saw most of his action at guard on offensive. Good size, physical and gets after it. You'll be hearing more about his the next few years.   [player_tooltip player_id='254753' first='Josh' last='Deal'] | 2023 | 6'0" | PK/P | -One of the strongest legs in Missouri high school football I've seen. Seems automatic on PATs and FGs and is a real weapon on kick offs sending them out of the end zone and negating returns. Also a solid punter as well.     <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>   LUTHERAN NORTH   Vance Gross | 2023 | 5'9" | WR | The surprise and star player of the night for the Crusaders was the 5'9" 175lb Vance, who accounted for 263 yards of offense on the night ( 15 receptions for 179 yards and a TD - 11 carries for 74 yards) and showed impressive speed and quickness being elusive and also physical on his receptions and runs during the game. I had seen the Crusaders during the summer but did not have Gross on my radar among their top players. He had a record setting performance and should land on some college coaches radars after that. A surehanded playmaker who they felt comfortable feeding the ball that the Vikings needed some time to adjust to. Vance showed good vision and ability to see the play unfold and follow his blockers while utilizing his talents   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/09/Vance-Gross.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-443260"/></figure>   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>   [player_tooltip player_id='172164' first='Marquis' last='Coleman'] | 2023 | 6'3" | DE/OLB | I wrote about the 6'3" 215lb Coleman in a pre-season piece about DLs ready to have a breakout season and he has not disappointed. He showed an incredible motor and speed in chasing down plays and being disruptive in the backfield. Marquis is extremely active and athletic and plays at a high intensity level the entire game. He finished with 8 tackles on the night but his play showed up more then in just the stats. He also impressed me with his play at TE for the Crusaders. He brought that same motor and intensity to his blocking assignments on the night. A future edge rusher or outside linebacker on the next level. Some college need to get in and scoop him up. His best football is ahead of him   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/09/Marquis-Coleman.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-443261"/></figure>   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>   [player_tooltip player_id='172169' first='Demetrius' last='Jones'] | 2024 | 6'2" | DT | Jones battled hard all night facing double and triple teams and finished with 5 tackles but the Vikings did a nice job of limiting the number of sacks allowed despite some pressure put on them in the backfield. The explosive DT prospect is one of the best in his class rushing the passer and blowing up plays in the backfield. He is a good combo of speed and power with a tremendous motor. He's slimmed down and transformed his body in the offseason which has made him even quicker.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/09/Demetrius-Jones.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-443262"/></figure>   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>   [player_tooltip player_id='188600' first='Dakarri' last='Hollis'] | 2025 | 6'1" | QB | One of the top young quarterbacks in the state of Missouri. Hollis caught my attention as a freshman with his potential but played behind a D1 senior last year. He had a very good summer with camps and displayed an above average skill set and understanding of his opponents defense in his first varsity start I've seen, and a good arm and accuracy in leading his team's offense on the night with 24 completions on 32 attempts for 266 yards and 2 TDs. He makes good reds and decisions, and does a really nice job with his leadership and running the offense. He has a bright future and it will be exciting to watch his continued development over the next two and a half years.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/09/Dakkari-Hollis.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-443264"/></figure>   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>   Martez Stephenson | 2026 | 5'7" | RB | Speaking of bright futures, I was very impressed with the play of Crusader freshman running back Martez Stephenson, who despite being only 5'7" 165 played like he was a 200 pounder as he showed no fear running up the middle between the tackles and delivering the blow, while keeping his legs turning and fighting for every extra yard. He showed good strength overall and with his ball security. At other times he showed he very good speed, quicks and elusiveness and ability to make yards after contact in the open field. He has big play potential and was North's leading rusher on the night with 82 yards on 17 carries averaging almost 5 ypc. I'm excited to see how he continues to develop and grow after only 3 games in his freshman year. I've seen a lot of the top freshman in Missouri already, and Stephenson is right up their with them.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/09/Martez-Stephenson.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-443265"/></figure>   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>   [player_tooltip player_id='285149' first='Karvon' last='Jefferson'] | 2025 | 6'0" | S | Another big-time young prospect for the Crusaders and just a sophomore. Jefferson plays LB but is more of a safety and will play that position on the next level. His physical development, athleticism and skill set are that of a future D1 prospect already. He compares favorably to some of the other D1 recruits in recent years at the same stage. Good size, can cover well and run with any receiver in pass defense and is a big hitter and sure tackler who finished with 6 on the night.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/09/Karvon-Jefferson.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-443277"/></figure>   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>   [player_tooltip player_id='172168' first='Marvin' last='Stringfellow'] | 2023 | 6'3" | OL/DT | Big Marvin had a good night on offense and did well in the defensive side of the ball as well. He did a nice job opening holes for his teams runners in their ground game, and also was solid in his pass pro to give his QB time. He also contributed a couple of tackles on defense going both. I like his intensity and effort he gives on each play on both sides of the ball at 6'3" 270.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/09/Marvin-Stringfellow.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-443283"/></figure>   Others Worth Mentioning   Trey Bass | 2025 | 5'10" | WR | - Only caught one pass on the night but it was for a TD. A speedy and surehanded receiver who is a real weapon.   Mikel Harris | 2023 | 5'9" | RB/LB | - Did a little bit of everything on both offense and defense. Had 6 tackles and a sack along with 25 yards and 8 carries.

Two of the most talented teams regardless of class met up this past week and did battle in a hard fought game that eventually went the Howell Vikings way over time and led to their victory. I break down some of the top performers had prospects I had the opportunity to watch.